Psalms — Chapter 96

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1O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth.

2Sing unto the LORD, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day.

3Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.

4For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods.

5For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens.

6Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

7Give unto the LORD, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength.

8Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts.

9O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.

10Say among the heathen that the LORD reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously.

11Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof.

12Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice

13Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.

1Oh sing unto Jehovah a new song: Sing unto Jehovah, all the earth.

2Sing unto Jehovah, bless his name; Show forth his salvation from day to day.

3Declare his glory among the nations, His marvellous works among all the peoples.

4For great is Jehovah, and greatly to be praised: He is to be feared above all gods.

5For all the gods of the peoples are idols; But Jehovah made the heavens.

6Honor and majesty are before him: Strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

7Ascribe unto Jehovah, ye kindreds of the peoples, Ascribe unto Jehovah glory and strength.

8Ascribe unto Jehovah the glory due unto his name: Bring an offering, and come into his courts.

9Oh worship Jehovah in holy array: Tremble before him, all the earth.

10Say among the nations, Jehovah reigneth: The world also is established that it cannot be moved: He will judge the peoples with equity.

11Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof;

12Let the field exult, and all that is therein; Then shall all the trees of the wood sing for joy

13Before Jehovah; for he cometh, For he cometh to judge the earth: He will judge the world with righteousness, And the peoples with his truth. Psalm 97

1Sing to the Lord a new song. Sing to the Lord, all the earth.

2Sing to the Lord. Praise his name. Announce every day how he delivers.

3Tell the nations about his splendor. Tell all the nations about his amazing deeds.

4For the Lord is great and certainly worthy of praise; he is more awesome than all gods.

5For all the gods of the nations are worthless, but the Lord made the sky.

6Majestic splendor emanates from him; his sanctuary is firmly established and beautiful.

7Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the nations, ascribe to the Lord splendor and strength.

8Ascribe to the Lord the splendor he deserves. Bring an offering and enter his courts.

9Worship the Lord in holy attire. Tremble before him, all the earth.

10Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns! The world is established; it cannot be moved. He judges the nations fairly.”

11Let the sky rejoice, and the earth be happy. Let the sea and everything in it shout.

12Let the fields and everything in them celebrate. Then let the trees of the forest shout with joy

13before the Lord, for he comes. For he comes to judge the earth. He judges the world fairly and the nations in accordance with his justice.

1Sing to Yahweh a new song! Sing to Yahweh, all the earth.

2Sing to Yahweh! Bless his name! Proclaim his salvation from day to day!

3Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples.

4For great is Yahweh, and greatly to be praised! He is to be feared above all gods.

5For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but Yahweh made the heavens.

6Honor and majesty are before him. Strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

7Ascribe to Yahweh, you families of nations, ascribe to Yahweh glory and strength.

8Ascribe to Yahweh the glory due to his name. Bring an offering, and come into his courts.

9Worship Yahweh in holy array. Tremble before him, all the earth.

10Say among the nations, “Yahweh reigns.” The world is also established. It can’t be moved. He will judge the peoples with equity.

11Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice. Let the sea roar, and its fullness!

12Let the field and all that is in it exult! Then all the trees of the woods shall sing for joy

13before Yahweh; for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, the peoples with his truth.

Summary
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
Videos
Reflection

Summary

An enthronement hymn — 'O sing unto the LORD a new song; sing unto the LORD, all the earth'; declare His glory among the nations; let creation rejoice, for the LORD comes to judge the earth with righteousness.

Authorship & Background

Author: Multiple authors — primarily David (73 psalms attributed), plus Asaph (12), Sons of Korah (11), Solomon (2), Moses (1), Heman (1), Ethan (1), and anonymous. The Psalter was compiled over approximately 1000 years and served as Israel's hymnal and prayer book. The book is divided into five 'books' (1-41, 42-72, 73-89, 90-106, 107-150), paralleling the five books of Moses. Key themes: worship, lament, praise, trust, kingship, creation, wisdom, Messianic prophecy, and the full range of human emotion brought before God.
Classification: Enthronement / Hymn of Praise Attributed Author: Anonymous (cf. 1 Chronicles 16:23-33 — Davidic) Key Themes: A new song, declaring God's glory among the nations, the LORD above all gods, worship in holiness, creation rejoicing, God coming to judge the earth
Historical Context: This psalm appears (with variations) in 1 Chronicles 16:23-33 as part of the song David commissioned when the Ark was brought to Jerusalem. It is one of the "enthronement psalms" proclaiming God's kingship. The call to sing a "new song" indicates a fresh experience of God's saving power requiring fresh worship. The missionary scope is remarkable: "Declare his glory among the nations" (v.3), "all the earth" (v.1), "all peoples" (v.3). The psalm ends with the most comprehensive call to creation worship in Scripture — heavens, earth, sea, fields, and trees all rejoicing because God comes to judge.
Structure:
  • Call to Sing a New Song (vv.1-3)
  • The LORD Above All Gods (vv.4-6)
  • Ascribe Glory to the LORD (vv.7-9)
  • The LORD Reigns (v.10)
  • All Creation Rejoices at His Coming (vv.11-13)

Map & Geography

  • No specific geographic locations are referenced in this chapter.

Videos

The Bible Project — Psalms Overview

Reflection

  • 1. God deserves new songs (v.1). Don't let worship become routine. Fresh experiences of God call for fresh expressions of praise. Sing something new — write something new — let your worship match the freshness of His mercies.
  • 2. The gods of the nations are worthless nothings (v.5). Whatever competes with God for your worship — career, comfort, approval, money — is "elilim." Literally nothing. The LORD made the heavens. Nothing else compares. Stop worshipping nothings.
  • 3. God's coming judgment is good news for creation (v.13). Trees sing, fields exult, seas roar with JOY — because when God judges, He sets things RIGHT. Judgment is not destruction but restoration. The earth longs for it.